Depending on the statistics you view, rates of inducing pregnancy in Canada in 2010 varied from 21.8% to 44.8% (Haff, 2010). In the United States it is even higher. You can read Wendy Haff's great article on this issue from Today's Parent (2010) by clicking here.
The big concern with Induction is that the chemicals they put into your body (Pitocin, etc) create contractions that are much stronger than natural contractions. This often leads to the need for pain relief, and can literally squeeze the baby in your uterus into distress, requiring a c-section. One 2003 study found that c-sections are 15% more likely in pregnancies that are induced than in pregnancies that are not induced (van Gemund, 2003).
WHAT IS INDUCTION? Induction means that something is done to try to `induce`, or start, your labor. There are natural, drug-free methods, discussed below and here. There are also chemical methods, of injecting a drug into your bloodstream via an IV, however, and these are the induction methods that can lead to many complications, and a longer, more painful labor. Some of the most common drugs are pitocin, syntocinon, and cytotec.
WHY IS INDUCTION RECOMMENDED? There are several reasons induction is recommended, and some are good and necessary...such as when the health of the mother and baby are actually at risk near the end of pregnancy. This may include chronic hypertension, diabetes, preeclampsia, eclampsia, a very post-term baby, or membranes (ie. the `water`) that has been broken a long time. The problem is that induction with drugs is done in many cases where it is not absolutely necessary, such as when a baby is only a few days overdue, when the doctor miscalculated the due date, or when the membranes or `waters` have only been broken for a few hours. This just gets back to educating yourself, and having a doctor or midwife that you trust and can communicate with openly, so that if the topic of induction is brought up for your birth, you are prepared. YOUNG + EDUCATED = EMPOWERED.
WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BODY AFTER INDUCTION? Induction with pitocin or other oxytocin-like drugs will force your body into having very strong contractions. This is more painful than normal labor, and increases your chances of needing an epidural. It can also distress the baby, as the contractions are so strong. Some irresponsible doctors even ask nurses to `pit to distress`, meaning to purposefully give you the maximum dose of pitocin, leading to a c-section, because they are in a hurry (this ACTUALLY HAPPENS!!). Don`t believe it? Click here to read an excerpt from a nursing textbook telling nurses how to respond to a doctor that asks them to `pit to distress` (Huelsmann, 2008).
WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES TO INDUCTION? There is a cute video called Overdue available as a free digital download on the Business of Being Born website (as of December 2012). It is on the bottom right hand side of the main page. You just need to enter your email, and they send you a download link. In the video they emphasize that if you are overdue, there are natural measures you can take to encourage labor to start, such as:
Walking: this puts pressure on the cervix from the baby's head, possibly starting or bringing labor closer.
Having Sex: There is a chemical in semen called prostaglandin that softens the cervix, so if you are able and have a committed and steady and STD-free partner you trust, this is a good thing to try!
Relaxation: By relieving stress and anxiety, you may help your body feel ready to begin it's labor journey. Try warm baths, candles, nice music, or just chilling out.
Eating Spicy Food: Some people feel spicy food can bring on contractions. As an alternative to induction drugs, why not?
Primrose Oil: This can be taken in capsules, but talk to your doctor and/or pharmacist. Do your research before taking this.
Hypnosis: Using visualization and trying to tap into your subconscious, this focuses on imagining your uterus contracting and starting labor.
Castor Oil: to be used as a last resort, this is a laxative and will stimulate your bowel, potential causing contraction in your uterus (right beside the bowel) to start.
In my case, in addition to walking and swimming almost every day while pregnant, I also drank a ton (5 glasses a day) of strong Raspberry Leaf tea in the last two weeks of my pregnancy. This is not proven, but passed down in women's circles as a way to bring on labor. I went into natural labor and gave birth 8 days before my due date.